Hi-Viz Lite

Tied by Jon Bates. Follow Jon on Instagram @grayfoxflies

The Hi-Vis Lite is Jon Bates’ refined take on the Hi-Vis Shiner from Nomad Anglers. After discovering the pattern a few years ago, Jon slimmed it down, simplified the material count, and created a modern, ultra-effective streamer that quickly earned a top spot in his smallmouth lineup.

This version keeps it incredibly straightforward with just two primary materials and a pair of 3D eyes, making it fast to tie and easy to scale for different species. Whether you're targeting smallmouth in rocky rivers, largemouth in warmwater ponds, or even saltwater species on the flats, this fly gets the job done.

Don’t let the simplicity fool you. Craft fur and ripple ice hair provide an incredible baitfish profile, movement, and flash in the water. Add in a UV resin finish for durability and a bit of weight, and you’ve got a high-visibility fly that fishes as good as it looks.

Materials

Hook: Partridge Attitude Extra sizes 4 thru 3/0 or BGH Big Game Hunter Hook
Thread: Danville 140 Denier Black
Tail: Craft Fur
Body: Ripple Ice Hair in Pearl
Eyes: Flymen Living Eyes 3D
UV: Solarez Bone Dry

Step 1

After attaching your thread to the shank start off by reverse tying a sparse amount of craft fur (1½-2x the length of the shank) and tie over the material with the thread and give it a touch of super glue for durability.

Tying Instructions - Step 2 - Hi-Viz Lite

Tying Instructions - Step 3 - Hi-Viz Lite

Tying Instructions - Step 4 - Hi-Viz Lite

Tying Instructions - Step 5 - Hi-Viz Lite

Step 6

Advance your thread to the center of the shank and repeat the step this time the craft fur should end halfway to the tip of the last stack of craft fur.

Tying Instructions - Step 7 - Hi-Viz Lite

Tying Instructions - Step 8 - Hi-Viz Lite

Step 9

Take a very sparse stack of Ripple Ice Hair and hand stack the tips. I tie the RIH in 60/40 for the first stack, before folding the material back repeat the step again on the bottom of the hook shank then reverse both stacks working the RIH with your fingers then brush it out with a comb.

Tying Instructions - Step 10 - Hi-Viz Lite

Step 11

Move your thread to the eye and again stack the RIH on top and bottom this time stacking it 50/50. After securing the material whip finish or super glue your thread and trim the thread off. After trimming the thread work the material again with your fingers then a comb or brush.

Tying Instructions - Step 12 - Hi-Viz Lite

Tying Instructions - Step 13 - Hi-Viz Lite

Step 14

Add your eyes. At this point you can use markers to add color then coat your eyes and head with Solarez Bone Dry. You can now shape the body by brushing the hair out and trimming with scissors. Until you do it a few times, be careful to trim very little and work your way down to the desired taper, and you may need to remark your color after you trim the fly.